The 4 Biggest Dental Problems for People Over 50

The 4 Biggest Dental Problems for People Over 50

People over the age of 50 have undoubtedly seen their share of dental issues. From decay to crowns, root canals to braces, this generation has experienced it all. Unfortunately, although the problems may evolve as we age, our dental problems persist and don’t ever go away. According to Grandparents.com, there are five major problems that arise for people over the age of 50. The good news is that our team has the capacity and expertise to solve these problems and ensure that your oral health continues as you get older. Let’s take a look at the most common problems:

1. Gum Disease

Gingivitis usually is diagnosed by the presence of swollen, red, or bleeding gums. If gingivitis is untreated, it can become periodontitis, which causes the gums and teeth to separate, creating pockets that can breed bacteria. This could lead to the loss of teeth and part of your jaw bone.

More than 43,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and about 8,000 die from it. Often linked to heavy smoking or alcohol use, your risk for oral cancer can increase as you age.

The fix:

Early screenings at regular checkups can help detect and treat oral cancer at an early stage that increases the rate of survival.

3. Dry mouth

As you age, you produce less saliva, which protects our teeth from decay. Dry mouth is often caused by the use of a wide variety of medications, which is heavy correlated with older age.

The fix:

Stimulate the creation of saliva by sipping water or chewing xylitol candies. There is also over the counter medication that can be prescribed to help solve this problem.

4. Teeth Crowding

Have you noticed that your teeth have less room than they used to? That’s because your teeth shift as you age. This phenomenon causes overlapping, which makes general hygiene harder to maintain.

The fix:

Invisalign can help create space for your shifting teeth and ensure that overlapping doesn’t lead to gum disease and periodontitis.

There are many changes that occur as we age, but a decrease in oral health doesn’t have to be one of them. Ask a question, contact us, or make an appointment to ensure that your teeth are strong and your smile is beautiful, even as you enter your most golden of years.

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